Genetic algorithm enhancement of radar system survivability

Abstract

A process for enhancing radar system survivability against a threat includes the construction of multiple computational radar function chromosomes with each of the chromosomes having values for geometric configuration and operational parameters for at least one radar station emitter and at least one decoy. A genetic algorithm analysis is performed on a computer including a crossover operator and a mutation operator to determine a fitness value for multiple chromosomes against the threat. By configuring and operating the radar system based on a survivability value for the fitness value of the genetic algorithm analysis, radar system survivability against a threat is enhanced. A radar system employing genetic algorithm analysis is also provided.

1. A process for enhancing radar system survivability against an anti-radiation missile threat comprising:
 constructing a plurality of computational radar function chromosomes, each of said plurality of chromosomes comprising N gene values for geometric configuration and operational parameters for at least one radar emitter station and at least one decoy; 
 performing a genetic algorithm analysis on a computer using at least a crossover operator and a mutation operator to determine a fitness value for each of said plurality of chromosomes against the threat; and 
 configuring and operating the radar system based on a protective survivability value against the threat for said fitness value of the genetic algorithm analysis. 
 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of chromosomes includes gene values for parameters selected from the group consisting of: radar emitting element failure percent, decoy number, decoy radiating power, decoy blink, and decoy activation time. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of chromosomes has a non-zero distance between said at least one decoy and said at least one radar emitter station. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1  wherein said crossover operator operates only between two or more of said plurality of chromosomes having equivalent decoy numbers. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1  wherein said crossover operator is a homogeneous multiple crossover operator having a crossover frequency of between an average 2 and N−1 genes. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 1  wherein the fitness value is obtained by scoring each of said chromosomes;
 proportionately applying at least said crossover operator and said mutation operator with a given frequency to said plurality of chromosomes; and 
 generating therefrom a progeny generation of chromosomes wherein an elitist best performing chromosome is maintained in said progeny chromosomes. 
 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1  further comprising performing a second genetic algorithm analysis against a second threat to yield a second threat protective survivability value against the second threat for the radar system; and storing said protective survivability value and said second protective survivability value in a computer storage library with recall and implementation of one of said protective survivability value and said second protective survivability value in response to information input about a developing real world threat. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 1  further comprising providing a communication receiver to said computer to provide input information about a developing threat to facilitate searching said computer storage library. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 1  wherein said genetic algorithm analysis is stochastic. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1  wherein said mutation operator replaces one of said gene values with a mutated value chosen from a feasible range of values for said gene value. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 1  wherein an operator application frequency for said crossover operator and said mutation operator changes during the determination of said fitness value for each of said plurality of chromosomes. 
     
     
       12. The process of  claim 11  wherein said operator application frequency for application of said crossover operator decreases and said mutation operator increases as a rate of change of said fitness value decreases between successive chromosome generations during said genetic algorithm analysis. 
     
     
       13. The process of  claim 1  wherein said genetic algorithm analysis allocates additional application of said crossover operator and said mutation operator to one of said plurality of chromosomes having an above average score of said fitness value. 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 1  further comprising storing a limited subset of said plurality of chromosomes for use in subsequent chromosome generations of said genetic algorithm analysis. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 1  wherein said fitness value is determined by a weighted summation of factors including at least two of: number of radar hits, number of decoy hits, and near miss distance to one of said at least one radar emitter station and said decoy. 
     
     
       16. The process of  claim 15  wherein the near miss distance value associated with said protective survivability value for said fitness value is at least 800 meters. 
     
     
       17. A radar defense system comprising:
 a radar emitter station; 
 a decoy placed a non-zero distance from said radar emitter station; 
 a communication link between said radar emitter station and said decoy; 
 a computer coupled to said radar emitter station and performing a genetic algorithm analysis to determine a fitness value for a survivability operational parameter chromosome for the system against an anti-radiation missile threat, said computer having a computer storage storing a plurality of system operational parameter chromosomes determined under different threats and the fitness value for a survivability operational parameter chromosome; and 
 a communication receiver receiving developing threat data and providing the data to said computer to facilitate selection of an optimal one of said plurality of fitness values for implementation by said radar emitter station and said decoy. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17  wherein said optimal one of said plurality of fitness values controls parameters inclusive of radiating power of said decoy, blink of said decoy, activation time of said decoy, and activation time profile of said radar emitter station. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17  wherein said genetic algorithm analysis employs a parent roulette wheel methodology with an elitist retention scoring to determine said survivability operational parameter chromosome. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 17  wherein said fitness value is determined by a weighted summation of factors including at least two of: number of radar hits, number of decoy hits, and near miss distance to one of said at least one radar emitter station and said decoy.